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 Vintage2011 Label 1 of 139 
TypeRed
ProducerDomaine Drouhin Oregon (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
DesignationLaurène
Vineyardn/a
CountryUSA
RegionOregon
SubRegionWillamette Valley
AppellationDundee Hills
UPC Code(s)012000880414, 012086880414

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2016 and 2021 (based on 32 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurene on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 91 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 73 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by Oregonnative on 12/29/2023 & rated 92 points: Lovely wine. Roses, dried and fresh fruit on the nose. Palate consistent with nose plus a bit of grapefruit rind. Tannins showed up as the bottle sat out (without food). Mouthwatering acidity. Palate is light, true to the vintage. Color just starting to darken in the rim. In a great spot. (484 views)
 Tasted by chitowncdpguy on 9/30/2023: Delightful. Very rich and very fruity. Well balanced with also some earthy flavors and hints of Christmas spice. Long finish. (539 views)
 Tasted by jenapple on 6/4/2023 & rated 90 points: Still tasting delightful. So ready to drink right away. (724 views)
 Tasted by Ganso on 11/11/2022 & rated 93 points: Raspberry,strawberry,mature red fruits.
The aroma is explosive!!!!
Still some acidity,ready to drink.
Do not decant… (1242 views)
 Tasted by jmcafee on 1/23/2022: Very, very lovely as per my previous notes. (1827 views)
 Tasted by jmcafee on 3/8/2021: Aerate or decant. This will smooth out the finish. Lovely, with bright acidity and well aged fruit. Drink through 2023. (2205 views)
 Tasted by Oregonnative on 12/31/2020 & rated 95 points: After 4-5yrs in hibernation this wine is ready to party. Paired w hazelnut crusted salmon and wild rice pilaf. The nose alone explodes w bright red fruit. I found myself smelling an empty glass a couple of times. Elegant wine w/ nice weight and concentration. Score with food. Still primary fruit of pomegranate, raspberry and bright cherry. Spice. Grapefruit rind frames the long cherry finish. Tannins not noticeable until drinking wo food. Opened one hr before drinking. Not overly complex but this has added the weight and balanced acidity I was hoping for. Feel like it will be in this drinking window for a while. (2024 views)
 Tasted by andreask888 on 11/29/2020 & rated 94 points: This was fantastic compared to my previous bottle. Refined restrained come to mind here. Good fruit healthy acidity and gentle tannic structure. (2190 views)
 Tasted by redz on 10/18/2020 & rated 91 points: rich pinot noir, holding up well (1899 views)
 Tasted by Explorateur on 9/11/2020 & rated 91 points: Agree with recent reviewers that the nose is muted, but I gave it about an hour and it started to come out of its shell. Two hours later this was singing! Give it time and focus and you will be rewarded. This was a colder year, less exuberant than other years. The nose offers earth, strawberries and cherries with an understated intensity. The mouthfeel is truly enjoyably soft with round tannins, followed by a surprising lingering taste of raspberries, wet earth, hint of shiitake mushroom and black cherries. This Laurene definitely keeps you searching. This wine is somewhat understated, but should not be underrated... (1495 views)
 Tasted by andreask888 on 6/15/2020 & rated 88 points: Nose very muted which is correct for an 8 year old pinot. However fruit seems muted as well on the palate from this wine that showed power and finesse just a few years ago, now with very few secondary or expected tertiatry components.

Either in a dumb phase over the hill already. (1441 views)
 Tasted by jmcafee on 5/22/2020: I echo the recent reviews. Though very pleasant and light, it must be past its prime based on my long experience with drinking DDO PN (admittedly this is my first tasting of this 9 year old vintage; I should have been more vigilant about sampling over the years). Drink now (2020). (1255 views)
 Tasted by Carib on 5/22/2020 & rated 89 points: Late to the party, alas its glory slightly faded. When I asked the vineyard how to approach opening this, here was their response: "Our winemaker, Véronique, is not a big believer in decanting older vintages. The oxygen can effect the wine fairly quickly." Bon chance! (1126 views)
 Tasted by vino_per_tutti on 5/7/2020 & rated 89 points: While greatly enjoyed 4 years ago, this is now in decline. Inviting red color with translucent rose-colored meniscus. Pleasant aromatics of cherry, rhubarb and other red fruits, but faded over the course of the evening. Fruit also present on the attack, but wine drifts into a thin, hollow middle and finish. Surprisingly still tart on the finish. Sulfites very much in presence - we all ended up with headaches several hours later. Drink up. (1202 views)
 Tasted by chitowncdpguy on 4/24/2020: Good but not great. The nose was great - floral and red fruit. The palate just seemed a little thin and slightly flabby. The finish was pleasant but it didn't all work together. (1229 views)
 Tasted by mwneil on 3/20/2020 & rated 90 points: Great bouquet, good initial taste, fruit is ok, does not have the earthiness to add that extra to the wine, it opened up a bit but never hit its stride and fruit died a bit towards the end, wine seems to be on the downside, drank with rack of local lamb, would not drink again. (1177 views)
 Tasted by Bandreas on 3/23/2019: PNP: Pinot nose with a certain sharp- and youthfulness attached to it.
On the palate pleasant; decent volume, with a noticeable tannins and acidity.
As the wine warms up it becomes a bit more expansive.
On the whole a bit ethereal; relatively short finish.
I am not sure there is much more up-side in this wine. I would say: drink up while it is still in good shape (2778 views)
 Tasted by golfhawk on 3/20/2019 & rated 89 points: Drinking great now but a little lighter than I was expecting. I will pair it with some lighter fare next time. (2416 views)
 Tasted by xuaeinw on 1/15/2019 & rated 92 points: Definitely in its prime now. (2435 views)
 Tasted by mwneil on 10/26/2018 & rated 92 points: Fascinating wine, not much bouquet, earthy , balanced, medium bodied, good structure with complexity,drank easier than expected, drank with NZ rack of lamb, not sure if it has much more life as fruit is ebbing, will drink again since Ihave another bottle, the entire package works well even if fruit is lacking. (2237 views)
 Tasted by oldwines on 8/23/2017 & rated 96 points: Tasted at the winery. Another of many examples on this trip of 2011 Pinot’s that are aging great and will be gorgeous for many years to come. It is a light to medium ruby color with an earthy and spicy nose that screams white pepper. The acidity and tannin are both medium high but starting to integrate. The mouth feel is quite rich and the flavors include spicy raspberry, strawberry and earthy mushroom in complex layers and a long finish. This is one to look for and way better than the critics surmised! (3845 views)
 Tasted by Muledog71 on 7/10/2017 & rated 90 points: Bigger style of Willamette Pinot, prob has years to go to boot! Pepper on the finish, cherry on the palette, medium finish with loads of acid. (2827 views)
 Tasted by jmasterj on 4/6/2017 & rated 90 points: Excellent Ore. PN. Not super pronounced in any aspect but nicely balanced between NW light red fruit, earthiness and round wood influence. Bright and tart. Medium weight and length. There are better at this price point but not a waste of money either. (3071 views)
 Tasted by Dr. Claret on 3/26/2017 & rated 85 points: This wine lacks any definition. no finish , very little fruit and just not enjoyable. Other Drouhin wines have been much more enjoyable. Much better Oregon pinots out there for this price (3003 views)
 Tasted by jasonh on 11/24/2016: Showing much more elegance than the 2012 but still pretty ripe for a 2011. Not some much of the Dundee Hills big cherry. Having some pomegranate and cranberry mixed in. Needed 60 minutes of air to start opening up. Good to drink now with a brief decant or wait 2-4 years. (2433 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/9/2015)
(Dom Drouhin, Cuvée Laurène Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Allen Meadows
Burghound, Oct-14, Issue #56
(Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir - Laurène Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2013, IWC Issue #169
(Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurene Dundee Hills) Subscribe to see review text.
By Laure Patry
Decanter
(Domaine Drouhin, Laurène Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills, Oregon, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (11/22/2014)
(Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène) Medium dark cherry red color; aromatic, tart cherry, floral, rosehips nose; tart cherry, floral, rosehips palate; medium-plus finish  92 points
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Burghound and Vinous and Decanter and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Domaine Drouhin Oregon

Producer website

Domaine Drouhin has been on the viticultural cutting edge in Oregon since their first vintage in 1988, and continues to set the pace.

Winemaker Véronique Drouhin-Boss' roots go deep into her family's 13th century cellars under the streets of Beaune, the heart of Burgundy. She represents the fourth generation of winemakers from this venerable wine family of France, but it is here in Oregon that her skills and passion are bringing forth some of the most sublime Pinot Noir and Chardonnay produced anywhere. With centuries of Burgundian winemaking experience flowing through her blood, Véronique has lovingly crafted every drop of wine produced at Domaine Drouhin Oregon since the first vintage in 1988.

Véronique Boss-Drouhin

Our winemaker extraordinaire produces elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on both sides of the Atlantic.

Véronique Drouhin-Boss, the fourth-generation winemaker of the Drouhin family, has lovingly crafted every drop of wine produced at Domaine Drouhin Oregon since our first vintage in 1988. She also now oversees the winemaking at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy, producing some of the world's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines on both sides of the Atlantic.

Véronique's interest in wine and the family business began when she was young, and blossomed under the tutelage of father Robert Drouhin. In 1986, she graduated from the University of Dijon with an advanced degree in enology, and decided to venture to Oregon to expand her experience and learn more about the fledgling industry that was beginning to take root in the Willamette Valley. Véronique interned that year with Adelsheim Vineyards, Bethel Heights, and Eyrie. She has returned to Oregon every year since then to capture the essence of what nature provides in our unique estate vineyards.

In many ways, Véronique embodies the essence of Pinot Noir -- spirited, graceful, and feminine. Her wines at Domaine Drouhin have always been hallmarked by elegance, finesse, purity, and the capacity to improve gracefully with age.

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

Oregon

Oregon Wine, Oregon Wineries (Oregon Wine Board)

Willamette Valley

Willamette Valley Wineries Association | Willamette Valley (Oregon Wine Board)
On weinlagen-info including some single vineyards

Willamette Valley Vintage Reviews

Dundee Hills

Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association website

Located just 28 miles southwest of Portland, and 40 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the Dundee Hills appellation is situated within an irregular circle of about 6,490 acres in total, of which more than 1,264 acres of vineyards are planted. This region is unique for its higher elevation, warmer nighttime temperatures, less low-elevation fog and frost, and lava-based Jory soil series of reddish silt, clay and loam soils.

Single Vineyards at weinlagen-info

 
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